Designing a Life: How We Brought Our Mediterranean Dream to a Denver Apartment
Two years ago, I created a Pinterest board called Mediterranean Dream Home. It was a vision inspired by a trip to Lebanon and the dream of someday building a vacation home in Hamet, the village where Fares, my husband, grew up. It felt like a distant goal, maybe even an unattainable one. But something shifted when I took my own advice I often give to my friends and clients: to stop waiting, and instead, design the life you want to live in the present moment.
Images from Pinterest: Mediterranean Dream Home
Just before our wedding, we toured a new apartment complex in Denver and I was stunned. It took my breath away. For the first time, I experienced an apartment building that felt both intentionally and soulfully designed. Rooted in nature and guided by biophilic design principles, the space felt like a love letter to both Colorado and the Mediterranean. It captured the essence I had been craving since returning from abroad — that feeling of place, texture, light, and serenity.
The design of the building itself is a narrative: inspired by Colorado’s geography, it moves from alpine lake (the pool and hot tub) through carved canyons (the façade and cascading waterfall) and into the Front Range’s evolving plant life. From tundra to mountains to plains, the landscaping tells a regional story. Inside, the public spaces flow like riverbeds, with natural plantings, smooth stone pathways, and soft lighting that casts delicate plant shadows along canyon-like walls. This thoughtful interplay of architecture, landscape, and atmosphere created an immersive experience.
The individual units are equally grounded and graceful — contemporary, organic, and calming. Blonde oak cabinetry and floors bring warmth. Matte black hardware adds quiet sophistication. Raw concrete columns add natural texture. The bathroom features deep green organic stone mosaic tile, a nod to Mediterranean waters. The kitchen island combines live-edge walnut with matte porcelain marble, this perfect marriage of rustic and refined. Large windows pour in natural light, keeping the space airy. Altogether, it felt like a blank canvas ready to convey our dream.
We moved in shortly after our wedding and it felt like the most meaningful “honeymoon.” Starting our life together in a space that expressed our spirits and supported our lifestyle was incredibly grounding. This home became more than just a place to live; it became a reflection of who we are and what we love.
Curating our newlywed apartment was one of the most fulfilling creative processes I’ve experienced. We layered in pieces that told our story: ceramic mugs and plates that mimic stone, an olive tree, a painting from Lebanon framed with carved olive branches & wine bottle display from Ixsir winery, a handmade olive cross stitched art piece, an olive wood charcuterie board, canisters that display all the wine corks of bottles Fares & I shared through the years, and heirlooms from my grandparent’s home: a vintage painting and a black marble lamp. Our wine-colored couch is offset by chartreuse and olive pillows, a palette that nods to both our Lebanese and Italian roots. Even the wicker baskets under our vanities are a small, functional touch that adds warmth and intention.
I didn’t expect how much my well-being would shift. I feel more inspired, grounded, and elevated. My energy is more artful, present, and full. It’s not just because of how I styled our space; it’s because the architecture itself was designed with wellness in mind. The building’s designers understood that our environments shape us. That light, texture, and narrative matter. That when design supports your lifestyle and speaks to your spirit, it can truly change your life.
This apartment didn’t just become a stand-in for our dream home in Lebanon — it became the beginning of something even more meaningful: a daily reminder that we can live our dreams now. That good design isn’t just about beauty — it’s about belonging.